We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
Moana 2: One of Disney’s finest is back with a sequel! The story is set three years after the events of the first movie. An older Moana sets off to her sails again as she receives an unexpected call for help from her ancestors. Of course, Maui (played by Dwayne Johnson) joins in on the adventure.
Reviews are decent. IndieWire commends it as a “sprightly addition” that makes you “want further adventures,” while the Los Angeles Times lauds its “gorgeous animation” and “thoughtful representation of Polynesian culture,” calling it a “sturdy and satisfying sequel.” However, Screen Rant notes that while the animation and character moments shine, the villain’s motivations hold the film back from “true greatness.” Our take: Who can say ‘no’ to a Disney movie? Definitely not us! The movie released in the theatres yesterday.
Sikandar ka Muqaddar: Written and directed by Neeraj Pandey of ‘A Wednesday’ fame, this crime thriller stars Jimmy Shergill as Jaswinder Singh, your run-of-the-mill, hard-nosed, overly dedicated cop who gets obsessed with cases and isn’t afraid to bend the law to his own benefit of catching criminals. His latest assignment: an unsolved heist at a diamond exhibition—Avinash Tiwary, Tamannah Bhatia and Rajeev Mehta complete the cast as Singh’s primary suspects. Fun fact: the ‘Sikandar’ in the film refers to Tiwary’s character, and the title flips Manmohan Desai’s 1978 crime drama ‘Muqaddar ka Sikandar’.
Reviews are mixed to positive. Shubhra Gupta in Indian Express enjoyed how the film subverts expectations by being more of a “pulpy character study” than your typical tropey thriller. The Hindu says the film is a solid comeback for Shergill who “lights up the screen” but the writers “lose grip over the game of cat and mouse”. Our take: We love morally grey character studies and this cast is too good to pass up. Watch it on Netflix.
The Madness: Framed for murder amid a far-reaching conspiracy, ‘The Madness’ is a gripping thriller that dives deep into paranoia, power, and survival. Led by Colman Domingo’s standout performance as Muncie Daniels, a TV host on the run after a shocking discovery in the Poconos, the series balances high-stakes action with emotional depth. Marsha Stephanie Blake shines as Muncie’s ex-wife, Elena, and the layered antagonists keep the tension razor-sharp.
Reviews are great. The Guardian praises its "precision-engineered plot" and Collider calls it a "regrettably plausible" take on modern-day political machinations, noting Domingo’s "powerful screen presence." Our take: A masterclass in tension, this is one conspiracy you won’t want to miss. Now streaming on Netflix.
Senna: Step aside ‘Drive to Survive’, it’s time for some serious scripted stuff on Formula One. This Brazilian miniseries stars Gabriel Leone of ‘Ferrari’ fame as the titular character, Ayrton Senna, and traces his life and career leading up to that fateful fatal crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Also starring: Kaya Scodelario, best known for ‘Skins’ and ‘The Maze Runner’.
Reviews are mixed to positive. Radio Times found it “visually glorious” with “breathtaking” depictions of Senna’s races but considered the storytelling too by the numbers. Collider is similarly iffy: “‘Senna’ is at its best when it lets Gabriel Leone do his thing, but other than that…is vastly unmemorable and offers no insights into why its subject became an almost mythic creature in Brazil.” Our take: Asif Kapadia’s 2011 documentary on Senna will never be topped, but Gabriel Leone here is excellent at portraying petrolheads who lived fast and died young. Catch it on Netflix.
The Trunk: Mystery? Check. Melodrama? Check. Fake marriage? Check. This K-drama is an adaptation of the 2015 novel of the same name by Kim Ryeo-ryeong. Starring Gong Yoo (best known for ‘Goblin’) and Seo Hyun-jin (from the TV show ‘The beauty Inside’), the series is about the two leads entering a one-year contract marriage through NM Company. As the hidden secrets of the company are revealed by the arrival of a mysterious trunk, the fake relationship starts to feel all too real.
There is only one review for this series: NME describes the show as a “macabre tale” of love and denial, with Gong Yoo’s “captivating” performance and Jung Yun-ha’s chilling presence, all heightened by haunting direction and a powerful score. Our take: We are intrigued by the plot and love these actors. Watch the first two episodes on Netflix now!
Divorce Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega: This office comedy series is about two ambitious TV journalists Ashu and Nikki (played by Rishab Chadha and Abigail Pandey) who are forced to work together on a marriage scam case. Hilariously, Ashu gets a real marriage certificate notarised instead of a fake one—which creates problems for a recently engaged Nikki.
Reviews are mixed. Free Press Journal found the concept promising but found the first two episodes “burdened by unnecessary subplots and excessive exposition”. OTOH, Moneycontrol loves the humour and says, “The references to real-life scams, popular celebrities and Bollywood blockbusters give a pulpy feel to the show.” Our take: We are absolutely here for the hate relationship. You can catch it on Zee5.
Fresh off the big screen…
Bloody Beggars: This Tamil movie is a dark comedy featuring Kavin as a beggar. One day, he sets his eyes on a famous actor Chandrabose’s magnanimous house. He breaks in and enjoys the luxury till he realises he is trapped and an eccentric group of characters need him to act a particular part in their grand plan. The Hindu has rave reviews for the movie. Without giving much away, here’s why you should watch it: “it’s the Knives Out of Tamil cinema in a way.” The film dropped on Amazon Prime.
